Tony Robinson takes a train trip around the world.

Tony Robinson talks to Sarah Nealon about his new travel series in which he travels the world by train.

In an era when international tourism is limited, it feels a bit strange to be chatting to someone about a travel show.

But then again, watching Sir Tony Robinson explore the world with child-like wonder in Around The World By Train is a nice piece of escapism – particularly for anyone who is missing the thrill of overseas travel.

“Everybody has been so kind of gloomy – quite understandably,” says Robinson.

“I was so pleased that this could come out at a time when it’s great to lift people’s spirits, lift people’s hearts and say there is still a world out there.

“There are still wonderful things to see and at some time, and hopefully in the not-too-distant future, we’ll be seeing them again.

“So no, I didn’t feel it was inappropriate at all. I felt that it was highly appropriate – like a celebration of who we have been and who we can be in the future.”

In the show, 73-year-old Robinson travels via rail in Europe, Asia,

Australia, and the United States.

If you are wondering what the advantage of travelling by train is as opposed to being transported by ship or plane, Robinson has a few theories.

“When you’re going on a cruise ship, you are going really pretty slowly,” he says.

“A lot of the time, you’re either going to be eating in the restaurant or sitting in your cabin. “On a plane, you’re just whizzing from one place to another. But on a train, you’ve got your eyes out of the window all the time. Even on a long-distance train you’re stopping quite a lot. It’s a really good and very civilised way to travel.

“One of the most exciting things is that all around the world, rail travel is being rediscovered.

“From the sort of 1960s to the 1980s it was as though train travel was rusting under our feet.

“But now people are realising what a wonderful way of travelling it is.

“I got the privilege of travelling

“I was looking at myself in the mirror and I didn’t like what I saw at all.”

– Tony Robinson

in some of the swankiest trains in the world and some of the roughest trains in the world.”

Robinson was particularly impressed by trains in Japan and Europe.

“There is a very good train network in Europe,” he says.

“For young Kiwis who haven’t been over there yet, look at the train journeys throughout Europe, if you’re going to come over.

“You can get to such a variety of places so quickly and comfortably and cheaply compared to a lot of other travel. So I really would recommend it.”

Like a lot of people in the arts and entertainment industry, Robinson, whose CV includes the comedy Black Adder and factual series such as Britain’s Ancient Tracks and Coast To Coast, was affected on a professional level when the global pandemic hit the UK.

“I had about 14 months of work ahead of me but it all just went overnight,” he says.

But he did have something else to occupy him.

“Three days before lockdown, my wife and I decided to get a rescue dog,” says Robinson of their new pooch, Holly Berry.

“We got a westie (west highland terrier) from the RSPCA (in Derby). We brought it back to London.

“We fell in love with her and she fell in love with us straight away. She needed an awful lot of attention, an awful lot of care. But we’ve got the time to do that. So gradually we turned her back into a playful, wonderful dog. So she has been the focus of our lives.”

Robinson has also used the time to focus on his health by doing workouts using gym equipment. “I’ve been exercising like mad,” he says. “Whereas all my mates are getting p***ed every day, I came off booze and I’ve been exercising all the time.

For two years now I’ve been doing Around The World By Train.”

The demands of the show meant there wasn’t a lot of time to exercise.

“I was looking at myself in the mirror and I didn’t like what I saw at all,” he says.

“So I’ve actually lost 20lbs (9kg).”

With the UK’s lockdown restrictions slowly easing, Robinson will be returning to work later this month when he resumes filming on a second season of The Thames: Britain’s Great River With Tony Robinson.

As in previous factual shows, such as Ancient Tracks, he will be getting around on foot.

With a touch of excitement, Robinson says, “I will have to dust off my walking shoes.”